How to Treat Bronchitis

How do you know if you have bronchitis, easy, you probably have been coughing uncontrollably. When your bronchial tubes, the tubes that carry air to your lungs, become irritated or inflamed they swell and produce mucus. This in turn makes you cough. Most cases can be treated at home and will last up to 2 to 3 weeks in a healthy person. Home treatment may include the following:

• drink plenty of fluids and keep a supply of cough drops near by
• stay away from irritants-spicy foods, soda, etc.
• no caffeine, no alcohol-these can cause you to loose precious fluids you need to get better
• if you smoke, cut back, or hey even better try to quit
• try hot showers and chest rubs to help with breathing
• use a humidifier
• cough suppressants and expectorants may help, but have not been proven to cure
• acetaminophen may be used for fever and body aches

Home treatment is no longer an option if you should experience any of the following These worsening symptoms could indicate that you may have pneumonia and it is time to contact your doctor.

• a persistent cough
• shortness of breath
• increasing amounts of mucus
• fever that gets out of hand
• pain in the chest wall

Keep in mind that there are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic. Usually acute bronchitis comes after an upper respiratory infection, like a cold or flu. In rare situations it can be caused by the inhalation of vomit or bacteria. Irritants like smoke can be problematic as well. The most common symptom of acute bronchitis is a cough that is dry and hacking at first. After a few days, the cough may bring up mucus. You may have a low fever and feel tired.

Now, chronic bronchitis as its name implies keeps coming back and will last a long time. This is usually a problem with people who smoke. Chronic bronchitis means you have a cough with mucus most days of the month for 3 months of the year for at least 2 years in a row. You know the difference between pneumonia and bronchitis because pneumonia causes high fever, shaking and chills, and shortness of breath as discussed above. Once you know the difference between these illnesses you will be much more prepared to treat yourself and your family and have a better chance at a quick recovery.